7 Careers to Choose for Finance Degree

Earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step in pursuing a career in finance. Programs will typically focus on giving you a comprehensive understanding of financial management, technological expertise, interpersonal skills and professional insight.

A career in finance isn't all about money. For the business graduate, obtaining a degree is just the beginning. What's left is to take a closer look at available career options, measuring which industry sectors have the greatest need for new professionals. The finance industry is multifaceted, offering a variety of positions catering to a number of different skills and interests.

Below are the careers you may take upon graduating in the finance degree:

Corporate FinanceCorporate finance jobs involve working for a company in the capacity of finding and managing the capital necessary to run the enterprise. This is done while maximizing corporate value and reducing financial risk.

The functions you may implement while in such a position include the following:

Setting up the company's overall financial strategyForecasting profits and lossesNegotiating lines of creditPreparing financial statementsCoordinating with outside auditorsMore sophisticated corporate finance jobs might involve mergers and acquisitions activity, such as calculating the value of an acquisition target or determining the value of a division for a spinoff.

Corporate finance positions can be found in companies of all sizes, from large, international entities to small startups. Additional corporate finance positions include financial analysts, treasurers and internal auditors.

Public financeIt is concerned with the financial dealings of states, as well as related public entities such as school districts or government agencies. Some typical arenas for working in finance include in actuary (insurance), corporate finance or real estate, financial planning, investment banking and money management. Many of the skills and abilities needed for each area overlap and can benefit you as you move further in your field, or decide to change your focus.

Tax ManagersTax managers oversee tax reporting and planning. They make sure tax returns are completed and accurate in order to reduce the tax obligations of an organization. Tax managers must also ensure that their companies adhere to federal, state, local and international tax laws.

Personal Financial AdvisorA personal financial advisor is an individual, and often an entrepreneur, who works either in a small start-up or a large corporation. Responsible for advising individuals on investments, tax laws and insurance, these personal advisors recommend financially-beneficial options that enable individuals to meet both their short- and long-term goals, including establishing a "rainy-day" fund, getting payday loans, and savings for major purchases or retirement.

AccountantWhen some people hear the word accountant, they groan. But an accountant earns a good living. Though busy year-round, many accountants make a large portion of their annual income from January to April (tax season). For the rest of the year, they often analyze, plan, evaluate and advise clients on successful tactics that enable them to maximize their earnings. Most firms (and discerning clients) will require a bachelor's degree in accounting or related field. And, as is true of almost any field in finance, those holding a master's degree consistently earn more than their undergrad-only counterparts.

Fund administrationFund administration is name given to the set of activities that are carried out in support of the actual process of running a collective investment scheme, whether the scheme is a traditional mutual fund, a hedge fund or something in between. Fund managers often choose to outsource some or all of these activities to external specialist companies; these companies are often known as fund administrators.

TreasurerIf you're of a mind to go for the money, treasurer is where it's at in finance. Treasurers provide the financial goals, objectives and budget for their respective organizations, often managing corporate investments and executing capital-raising initiatives. Though it's still possible to obtain a treasurer position with a B.A. in accounting, finance, economics or business administration, many employers are now leaning towards those who hold advanced degrees in these fields, a preference that's reflected in the salary.